Animal-trap.



T. 0. DUNN & G. JfVOUGHT. \ANIMAL TRAP. APPLICATION FILED DEG. 31,1908

' 936,429. Patented 0ct.12,1909.

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THOMAS C. DUNN, OF CLAY CENTER, KANSAS, AND GEORGE J. VOUGI-IT, OFHAEMAR- VILLE, PENNSYLVANIA; SAID DUNN ASSIGNOR T SAID VOUGHT.

ANIMAL-TRAP.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, THOMAS C. DUNN and Gnonon J. Vonor-rr, citizens ofthe United States, residing at Clay Center, in the county of Clay andState of Kansas, and at Harmarville, in the county of Allegheny andState of Pennsylvania, respectively, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Animal-Traps, of which the following is aspecification.

Our invention relates to animal traps and is especially designed for thecatching of gophers.

The objects are to provide an effective horizontally arranged trap whichmay be placed in the run of the animal that in pressing forward theearth, as is its custom, the trap will be sprung and sharp prongs causedto be forcibly projected horizontally in the direction from which theearth is being propelled and the animal impaled thereon.

The device is preferably constructed in the manner hereinafter describedand illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Figure l is a planView of the trap in set position. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of thesame, the safety pin and the anchoring stake being shown in position.Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the trap after it has been sprung. Fig. etis a perspective view of the same.

Similar figures of reference indicate like parts throughout the severalviews.

1 is an elongated base plate, preferably of galvanized sheet iron, theside edges being bent downward to form stiffening flanges 2 which areadapted to penetrate the ground and hold the trap from lateral movement.At one end of the base plate is a hole 3 through which is passed ananchoring signal stake 1 which may carry a flag or pennant 5 to readilylocate the traps position in a field.

6 is a rear standard, preferably of sheet metal, the foot 7 of which isfastened to the base plate, the top portion of the standard being bentto form bearings 8 for the trunnions of a curved finger 9. Intermediateof the ends of the standard is located a plate bearing 10 for thetrunnions of a trigger 11, which trigger is provided at its upper orpivoted end with a notch 11 for receiving the free end of the curvedfinger 9, and at its lower or free end with a knob 11 Hole 12 in thestandard permits the passage of Specification 01 Letters Patent.

Application filed December 31, 1908.

Patented Oct. 12, 1909.

Serial No. 470,270.

the horizontally arranged thrust shaft 13 and hole 14 the attachment ofa safety pin 15 by means of chain 16.

17 is a standard secured by foot 18 and braced by a strip 19, secured tothe standard and base at bent portions 20 and 21, respectively. Theforward standard has perforations 22 for the passage of the shaft 13 and23 for the passage of the hold back rod or wire 24: through its upperportion and perforation 25 through its lower portion for the passage ofthe push rod or wire 26.

27 is an extension of the base plate 1 having upturned ears 28furnishing a pivot bearing for the trunnions 29 of the push block 30 andattached bait pin 31. The push block 30 and the bait pin 31, which isrigidly secured thereto, has operable connection with the push rod 26through a ring and eye at 30.

32 is a multi-pronged head to which is attached oneend of the hold backrod 24 and shaft 13, the opposite end of the hold back rod being formedinto an eye 33 and the opposite end of the shaft 13 being turned up toform a handle 34:. The shaft is further provided with a spring 35retained between the near side of the standard 6 and a stop or pin 36passed through or formed on the shaft 13. A catch 37 serves to restrainand the pin 15 to secure shaft 13 against forward movement while thetrap is being set.

In practice, the trap being in the passive condition illustrated inFigs. 3 and 4 is set as follows :Handle 34 is pulled until the catch 37,passing through hole 12, catches on the edge thereof. Pin 15 is thenslipped into the hole 13 in the shaft provided for that purpose tosecure the trap against accidental discharge. Finger 9 is passed througheye 33 and caught in notch 11. The block 30 and bait pin 31 are then inthe position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the moving parts of thedevice remaining in the same position after the withdrawal of pin 15 andthe gentle release of the catch 37 by a slight upward pull on the handle34:, until an animal, disturbing the bait on the bait pin 31 or pass ingthe bait and moving forward against push block 30, causes the push rod26 to move forward and, by its attachment to the knob 11 on the trigger11, causes the trigger to release the finger 9 and the eye 33,permitting the force of the spring 35 to thrust the shaft and itsattached parts, into the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and impale theanimal.

Having thus described my invention the following is what I-claim as newtherein and desire to secure by Letters Patent A horizontally arrangedshaft comprising a base plate having rear and forward standards, ahorizontally arranged thrust shaft mounted in the standards, having animpaling head at its forward end, and a catch at its rear end, a springfor throwing out the thrust shaft, a finger pivoted to the rearstandard, a trigger pivoted to the rear standard beneath the finger andhaving a notch with which the finger is adapted to engage, a

hold back rod connected at its forward end with the impaling head andadapted to be engaged by the finger at its rear end, a push blockpivoted to the forward end of the base plate, and a push rod connectedat its forward end with the push block and at its rear end with thetrigger.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this specification inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS C. DUNN. GEORGE J. VOUGHT.

Vitnesses FRANK O. OBERG, L. K. CRANnALL.

